Blog Rant!!!

Dear Blog Land,

Since many of you read the same blogs that we do, you're probably aware of a lot of "blog drama" that's been happening over the past few weeks. Just typing that is laughable, but we have some things to say because we’re sick of hearing about it. People are getting upset because of mean comments left on their blogs or feeling that they no longer have any privacy and that people pry too much into their lives. They claim that blogging is an outlet for them, that it's their way of expressing themselves. And that others are ruining that for them.

Well, here's the deal as far as we see it. If you don't want people to know something - don't post it on your blog for the world to read. Stop creating Formspring accounts where anyone & everyone can ask you whatever they please. And seriously - stop answering the questions you don't want to answer. But for the love of God, stop complaining. Because you've created a monster, and then throw your hands up in the air like you had nothing to do with it. Please.

Because if you say something like "I had (fill in the blank) happen to me, but I don't want to talk about it on my blog. Email me if you want to know more," or "I bought (fill in the blank) but I don't want to share how much it cost on my blog," then don't act surprised when people get curious. It's like a child who claims to have a secret, but won't tell anyone. If you really have a secret, keep your mouth shut. Don't parade your "secret" around your blog, and then point your finger at others for asking too many questions. It's human nature to be curious. If you hadn't said anything in the first place, people wouldn't have asked. It's as simple as that.

If you're mad that people are calling you pretentious - stop posting pictures of your expensive material possessions on your blog, and blog about something else. If you really blogged for "you," then we believe you'd have more to share than pictures of your house, your car, your clothes, your furniture, or your jewelry. People only know what they see. With blogging, where people only know what you share - you have 100% control of your image. If you don't like it - do something about it. If you don't like the mean comments, delete them.

But the problem is that those who claim to want privacy, really don't. They say things like "I would still blog if no one read. I only blog for me as a way of expressing myself." Sorry, but we’re calling your bluff. If you really felt that way, you'd go private. You'd create another blog that no one knew about. But you won't do that. Because you love the attention. You've turned blogging into a popularity contest, and then act stunned when it turns against you.

Don't act so surprised when things don't work out the way you wished. If you think you're going to put yourself out there to the entire internet, and have everyone compliment you or talk about how amazing you are, you are seriously naive. It's like being a celebrity, in a MUCH reduced sense. When you put yourself in the public eye, people are going to judge and question the way you live your life. Period. It’s the way it works whether it’s right or wrong. You can't expect everyone to like you. And unfortunately, you can't expect those who don't like you, to ignore you. If you really blog for you, then continue to do that. Don’t let people bother you.

Either toughen up & accept that people aren't always going to love you, or make your blog private. It's not rocket science. But the complaining has to stop. Because it comes off as whiny and immature. If you can't handle the criticism, don't put yourself out there. And no one would judge you for deciding to close your blog. No one would judge you for deciding to go private. But people will judge you when you put your entire life in front of the public, and then complain about the repercussions.

Rant over.

love,

jenn, shaina, and d.a.r